Walk Hard: Caps WIN! E-mail
Written by The Miz   
Friday, 05 March 2010 09:34

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March is not where hockey legends are born. March is not a time when players are known to battle through injuries and give gutty performances that define a season. However, March is a time for NHL teams to ramp up for deep playoff runs; a time in which they tune their special teams, tweak lines, and manage ice time.

Last year, by standing pat at the trade deadline, Bruce Boudreau had little to tinker with in the season's final 20 games. Brian Pothier was his "deadline addition", but even before he returned from injury, the Caps were overloaded at the blueline. This season, after acquiring four players and only giving up the aforementioned Pothier, Boudreau has his work cut out for him. Night number one of these experimental lineups was a mixed-bag, but it resulted in a victory, and that's what matters most. Here are some thoughts on last night's win over the Bolts:

  • Nicklas Backstrom gave a downright playoff-worthy effort tonight. Verizon Center was ready to explode as Nick took puck after puck off his hind-end in an attempt to kill of a 5-on-3 late in the game. While he only had one assist, he deservedly earned the third star of the night from the media.
  • Speaking of the penalty kill, Eric Bellanger didn't exactly have the smoothest transition. His unit gave up two markers and needs some time to gel. That being said, it seemed like he had a little bit of chemistry with Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr.
  • With regards to Fehr's goal...what a shot. Does Mike Smith have a glove anymore? I sure didn't see it much.
  • John Carlson was only credited with one takeaway, but I thought his stickwork was really solid at points. However, clearing the zone was a different story altogether.
  • Since when does the Tampa defense render both Alexes invisible? Boys, please come back soon. We miss you.
  • Jason Chimera skated with a ton of jump in his limited ice time. It will be nice for him to have fresh legs in May (and hopefully June). Dude can fly.
  • I thought Mike Green was OK on the night, but not spectacular. It would be nice to see him give a little more ice time up as Corvo gets comfortable.
  • Grandpa Slippers Knuble gets some love for keeping up his ridiculous goal scoring rate up. It would be nice to see him keep some fresh legs down the stretch too.

Hero of the Night:

It's your first night in town, but two goals and a whole lot of effort win it for the toothless wonder, Mr. Scott Walker.

walkergrin
Image Courtesy of the Washington Post



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